It is commonly called as rooting shank, found close to deciduous trees, especially beech, attached to roots or underground wood. It is found to be distributed single or sometimes in small groups[1]. The specimen was collected from Kanakeshwar, near Alibag.

Morphology:

The diameter of the cap is up to 80 mm; broadly convex, becoming flat. Cap is brown with brilliant white gills. It is smooth and slimy when young, becomes wrinkled with age or in dry conditions. Stem is centrally placed, approximately 200 mm in length and 10 mm in diameter, narrowing at the top, white at apex while brownish grey at the base. The stem elongates into a false root and hence called as rooting shank1.

Oudmansiella radicata produces bioactive compounds such as exopolysaccharide and oudenone. Exopolysaccharide is reported to possess immunologically stimulating and anti-cancer properties[5] and oudenone is useful for treatment of hypertensive diseases[6].

Industrial importance:

1.Oudemansiella radicata fruiting body has the tolerance towards lead accumulation. It has the detoxification potential as well as potential for bioaccumulation of heavy metal in polluted farmland[7].

2.The metal tolerance and detoxification strategy of radicata was studied. The results concluded that the species might have the potential to be used as bio-accumulator to deal with Cu exposure in the Cu-contaminated farmland soil[8].

3.Oudemansiella radicata produces laccase and cellulase enzymes using agro wastes under solid-state and submerged conditions. Thus, it can be used extensively in production of industrially important cellulase and laccase enzymes. However, further studies are required for optimization of large scale production[9].

Unique features:

Lack of information

Interesting facts:

Lack of information

Commercial products:

Lack of information

Review of patents:

1.Oudemansiella radicata mycellium polysaccharides are added as a feed to livestock. By doing so they increased the appetite and growth was promoted. Also, immunity and body disease resistance and meat of livestock was found to be improved, and quality and quantity of poultry eggs was also increased[10].

2.Human liver cancer cell, breast cancer cell and a pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell were processed by radicata protein extract for 72 hours. The tumor cell proliferation inhibition ratio was found to be increased along with time extension and increase in the concentration[11].